Signaling system



1,557,405 (3. E. BEACH SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 7. 1920 asheets-srieet 2 Oct. 13,1925- N VEN TOR 0a. 13,1925- c; E. BEACHSIGNALING SYSTEM I filed Dec. 7.

1920 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 266M Oct. 13 19.25-

c. E. BEACH SIGNALING SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fued Dec. 7.

C. E. BEACH SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed Dec 7 1920 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IINVENTOR Patented Oct. 13, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,557,405 PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE E. BEACH, or mnennivrron, new year; Assrcnon o run ,GAMEWELLCOMPANY, or NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, a oonronnr oiv or assacnusnms.

SIGNALING sys'rnm.

Application filed'Deceniber 7, 1920. Serial No. 428,969. a

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE E. BEACH,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Binghamton, county ofBroome, and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Signaling Systoms, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to signaling systems comprising a plurality ofsignalinitiating stations and signal responsive devices, and isparticularly adapted for use in signaling systems having a plurality ofcode signal initiating stations and signal responsive' devices, some ofwhich devices are responsive to all of the initiating stations, andother of which devices are responsive to only a certain one or moreinitiating stations. Such responsive devices as are responsive to allinitiating stations will be hereinafter referred to as generalresponsive devices, and those responsive to only certain initiatingstations will be hereinafter referred to as local responsive devices.

Signaling systems of certain types (such as, for example, automaticfirealarm sys: tems) ordinarily stand unused for long periods; and, on theother hand, several initiating stations of any such systems are likelyto be called upon concurrently, when abnormal or dangerous conditionsdevelop. When such systems are employed for the purpose of summoningassistance, it is of prime importance that code signals shall beintelligently manifested With utmost dispatch to those Whose assistanceis to be summoned, even when a plurality of initiating stations areconcurrently subjected to influences calculatedto cause them to transmittheir respective code signals.

It is ordinarily deemed essential that all line wires and terminals ofsuch systems shall, While in normal condition, be subjected to acontinuous electrical test; such systems should, therefore, be of theclosed circuit type; however, it is deemed undesirable, (and, in manyinstances, incurs a cost of upkeep which is deemed prohibitive) tomaintain a current flow,'throughout long periods of non-use, as great asthat which should be utilized during the activity of initiatingstations. It is also Well recognized that the use of independent currentsources at the scattered locations of the initiating stations isundesirable from considerations of cost ofinstallation and maintenan'ce,and of dependability of operation.

In various typesof automatic alarm service, suitably operable circuitadjusters are associated with transmitting mechanisms atvariousinitiating stations so that, upon pro Cltel filllle'd operationOf any 0118 (if such adjusters, the associated transmitting mechanismwill be caused toact. In the use of suchs'ystems it has been foundamen-1'1- der certain circumstances, conditions may arise under whichsuch adjusters will be operatedinomentarily or for a co paratively shortperiod, and that under othercircumstances such adjusters will bemaintained in operated condition for a comparativel long period. It isdesirable that, under all circumstances, each signal shall be sotransmitted as to indicate, by means of a suitable code, the station"from which it originated;

and itis further desirable that, when any adjuster is maintained inoperated condition for a comparatively long period, the resultant codesignal will distinctively dif for from that which will result from operation of an adjuster for a period of'commanifestation by certain generalresponsive devices. For example, in large institutions such asdepartment stores andhospitals, it is desirable to provide" signalingsystems operable in the eventiof fire or other emergency for summoningassistance and for warning the occupants in case of extreme emergency,but it is" highlyundesirable to alarm the occupants upon the occurrenceof any minor emergency involving the development, for

a comparatively short period, ofsome con-- dition (such as a rapid riseof temperature) even ifsame would constitute a very definite hazard ifcontinued for a longerpe'rio'di On the other hand, those inauthorityshould be summoned to investigate and guard against therecurrence of gencies. j

It is obvious that s'ignalsshould be' given the right of way'inthe'order" of their imeven such minor emerportanoe; and that, to thisend, the clear manifestation, in an orderly sequence, of signalsrepresenting the operation of adjusters for periods of comparativelylong duration should be assured, when adjusters are concurrentlyoperated for periods ofvarying duration.

An object of this invention is to provide a system having transmittingmechanism whereby signals of acertain predetermined class will be givenprecedence over signals of any other classor classes, to the end thatsignals of less importance than those'of such preferred class willinvariably give way to those of such preferred class; completenoninterference being assured between different signals of suchpreferred class.

A further object, of this invention is to provide, in a system havingtransmitting mechanism at initiating stations operable to transmittwoclasses of signals, means whereby signals of one of such classes willcause response of all general responsive devices and whereby signals ofthe other of such classes will cause response of only a predeterminedone or more of such general responsive devices; a 1 1 A further objectof this invention is to provide means at ,initiating stations of such asystem whereby a desired number of repetitions of signals of one'of saidclasses will be assured, after the.transmissionthereof has progressedbeyond a certain point, regardless of the continuance of the periodduring. which the adjuster of such astation is maintained in theoperatedcondition intended to cause the transmission of, such signals. I

.A further object of this invention is to provide mechanism atinitiating stations of such a system whereby signals of one of theclasses which are transmitted by any or'certain ones of such initiating,stations will cause manifestation thereof by respective local responsivedevices V A further object of this invention, is to provide such asystem in which the line con ductors will be undercon'stant test at acurrent strength substantially less than that of impulses incident tothe transmission of one class of signals. 1 I

- Anoher object is to provide construction 'and arrangement of partswhereby a com-' men or centralized current source will act, through theline wires provided for the transmission of intended code signals, toenergize tripping magnets of widely scattered'transmitting mechanisms inresponse to the operation of circuit adjusterspassociated respectivelytherewith. a

Still further objects, together with their inherent advantages, will bein part obvious and in part hereinafter spe'cifically'set forth. Thefeatures of this invention may be variously cembined, in groups havingall or less than all of said features, to meet diverse serviceconditions and requirements. In constructing a signaling system inaccordance with all of the features of this in vention: r

A signal circuit is provided which comprises two parallel conductorloops, each of which passes through or communicates with each of aplurality of signal initiating stations; a current source is connectedbetween one end of one loop and the opposite end of the other loop; aconnection of comparative ly high resistance is provided between theremaining ends of said loops; and two classes of general responsivedevices and a plurality of local responsive devices are suitablyconnected for desired response to said circuit.

One class of said general responsive devices is arranged to suitablymanifest circuit interruptions occurring at any point in either of saidloops, the other classof said general responsive devices is arranged forresponse to current flow increases such as would result frominterconnecting the circuit loops at any initiating station; and thelocal responsive devices are included in normally ineffectiveinterconnections at various initiating stations. i

As a matter of convenience, general responsive devices arranged so thatthey will manifestany circuit interruptions which oc-- cur at any pointin either of the circuit loops, while the system is in normal inactivecondition, will be hereinafter referred to as .primary responsivedevices; and general responsive devices arranged to manifest currentflow increases, such as result from the establishment of aninterconnection of comparatively low resistance at any initiatingstation, will be hereinafter referred to as secondary responsivedevices. a

. In cases when conditions are such that the primary responsive deviceshould act with maximum dependability in serving both as a means ofmanifesting signals and as a means of giving warning in the even ofimpairment or ruptureof the signal circuit, the electromagnet winding ofsuch device shouldconstitute part or all of the high re sistanceconnection hereinbefore referred to. In cases when conditions are notsuch that it is deemed important that the primary responsive deviceshould act with maximum dependability in the event of impairment orrupture of the signal circuit, such primary device winding may beconnected at any point in the normal current path of the system. In anyevent the primary responsive device should be so arranged that it willbe responsive to current flow from the current source through the normalcurrent path including the high resistance connec tion; and, when suchwinding consists or forms part of said high resistance connection, suchwinding may be of much higher resistance that When connected elsewherein the normal current path of the system.

The electromagnet winding of the secondary responsive device should beso connected in the system that the excitation thereof will be increasedin the event that the high resistance connection is shunted, as by theinterconnection at any initiating station. To this end,the winding ofsaid secondary device should be included between one terminal or theother of the current source and the nearest initiating stationconnectedtherewith; or, if connected between any two initiatingstations, such winding should be divided, part being included in onecircuit loop and the remainder in the other circuit loop.

The secondary responsive device should be so arranged that it will notact in response to current flow from the source through the highresistance connection, and so that said device will act in response tocurrent flow from said source such as will result from the establishmentof an interconnection of comparatively low resistance at anyone of theinitiating stations.

The term circuit loops as herein used, is employed in a broad sense, andis not intended to necessarily imply a limitation to correspondingly orsymmetrically disposed conductors; in view, however, of the fact that itis desirable to assure reasonably uniform current flow through theinterconnections of all initiating stations, it is apparent that incases Where the conductor resistance between initiating stations iscomparatively great,-one of such loops shall provide a current path fromone terminal of the source, through the initiating stations in desiredsequence,.to one terminal of the high resistance connection; and thatthe other loop shall provide a current path from the other terminal ofsaid source, through the initiating stations in reverse sequence, to theother terminal of said connection; thus assuring substantial uniformityof the con ductor lengths of the current paths established during theeffectiveness of interconnections at the various initiating stations.

At each initiating station, means is provided for formulating a codesignal by alternately interrupting and establishing current flow in oneor the other of the circuit loops or current paths thereat; said meanscomprising contacts serially included in one or the other of suchcurrent paths and opera-ting means therefor.

Releasing means is provided for said formulating means,-such releasingmeans being variably operable to cause the formu lation of the codesignal a greater or less number of times.

An elect-romagnet is provided for the actuation of such releasing means,said magnet being so connected to one of said circuit loops, through asuitable branch path as to be normally tie-energized.

A circuit adjuster responsive to external influences is arranged tosuitably control said magnet, so that,when the signaling system is innormal condition,such circuit adjuster may act to cause effectiveenergi- Zation of said magnet.

For the purpose of minimizing the expenditure of electrical energyemployed for the maintenance of normal current flow in the system, suchbranch magnet paths should be normally open, and subject to closure byassociated circuit adjusters to establish an interconnection between therespective loops; such magnet connections being 'of sufficientresistance so that the current flow from the source during the effective energization of any one of them will be insufficient to causeresponse of the secondary device.

Circuit controlling means, moved by .and during the operation of saidformulating means, is provided for suitably governing the effectivenessof such branch magnet path. Such controlling means being periodicallyactuated to interrupt saidbranch path, regardless of the actuation ofthe ex ternally influenced circuit adjuster, during circuit breaksincident to each formulation of the code signal; and to permit closureof said branch path by said adjuster after the completion of eachformulation of said signal. Said controlling means being alsoprogressively actuated during uninterrupted operation of saidformulating means, to the end that, after said means has acted toformulate said code signal a predetermined one or more times, theeffective energization of the magnet will be accomplished, after eachformulation of the code signal, regardless of the continuity of theaction of the circuit adjuster in response to the influences to which itis subjected; and, to the further end that, after said means has actedto formulate such code signal a predetermined additional one or moretimes, further eifectiveenergization of said magnet will be prevented.

The progressive actuation of said circuit controlling means is soaccomplished that the intermittent transmission of the code signal willnot alter the responsiveness of said magnet to said circuit adjuster,even if suchsignal is transmitted such one or more times as would altersuch responsiveness if occurring uninterruptedly. Thus, should thecircuit adjuster be subjected to] influences causin it to repeatedly actfor comparatively brief periods, the resulting intermittent actuationoffthe formulating mechanism will not cumulatively effect theprogressively operated functions of the circuitcontrolhng means. 7

Mechanical holding means is moved by and closures incident to theformulation of the code signal, and throughout all period: when themagnet branch current path is interrupted by the periodical actuation ofthe circuit controlling means. The joint action of said holding meansand the periodic action of the circuit controlling means thereforeprovide a recurrent cycle in the action of said formulating means, sogoverned by the electromagnet that such cycle will be repeated a greateror less number of times as determined by the efiective ness of saidmagnet at the conclusion of each cycle.

As previously pointed out,normally ineffective interconnections areprovided at the various initiating stations, associated responsivedevices being included in such interconnections. The circuit controllingmeans at the various initiating stations are arranged to so govern theeffectiveness of the interconnections thercat that, whenever theformulating mechanism of any station has uninterruptedly accomplished apredetermined cycle of action, the interconnection at such station willbe rendered effective throughout circuit closures incident to subsequentformulations of the code signal of such station. Thus, should thecircuit adjuster of any station be subjected to infiu-.

ences causing it to repeatedly act for comparatively brief periods,theconsequent intermittent actuation of the formulating mechanism of suchstation will result in the formulation of circuit breaks and closures ofcorresponding repetitions of the code signal of such station, withoutsuch action of the circuit controlling mechanism of such station aswould render effective the interconnection thereat; but should suchformulating mechanism uninterruptedly act throughout a predeterminednumber of such code. signal cycles, such interconnection will beeffective during succeeding code signal formulating closures, to the endthat the secondary device and the associated local device will act inresponse thereto.

Means are provided at each of the initiating stations for facilitatingmanual restoration to normal position of the progressively actuatedcircuit controlling means thereat, whenever such circuit controllingmeans of any station has been moved by the actuation .of the formulatingmechanism thereat to render the electromagnet of such stationunresponsive to the circuit adjuster associated therewith.

In the interests of clearncss and briefness of" description,singularnouns are herein employed in reference to the circuit adjusters and thelocalresponsive devices of individual initiating stations, and inseparately referring to either the primary or the secondary responsivedevices; but it any station. In view of the foregoing, each such hereincontained reference to such adjusters or devices should be understood tosignify either a singular or plural number, as circumstances mightrequire, as fully and as clearly as if such references were, in eachinstance, so expanded as to read adjuster or adjusters or Q device ordevices as the case might be.

For the purpose of giving precedence to secondary signals, i. e., thosein response to which the secondary device should act; and for thefurther purpose of preventing manifestation of such secondary signalsthe primary device ;--the circuit controllers ofthe various initiatingstations are so ar ranged that when the controller of any stationsacts'to render the interconnection ef fective thereat', such controllerwill also .interrupt the'portions of both of the parallel conductorloops which extend from that station to the comparatively highresistance connection which includes the primary device.

For the purpose of preventing interruption or mutilation of any signalto which secondary and local devices should be responsive, eachtransmitter is so arranged. and connected that two or more of the trans;mitters of anyone circuit will not simultaneously or concurrentlyestablish their respective interconnections, and so that, when anytransmitter has acted to establish its interconnection, the magnets ofall other transmitters in the same circuit will be and remain(ls-energized until the completion. of the intended number of rounds ofthe signal of the station whose transmitter has so acted. Sucharrangement and connection is accomplished by including the codesignaling contacts of all of'the transmitters in a predetermined one ofthe signal :ircuit loops; so that the breaking of such loop by the codesignaling contacts of any stat-ion will prevent current flow through ;heelectromagnet of any other station, unless such other station isconnected in the loop so broken between such break and the currentsource. When so connected, the electromagnets of stations connected toportions of such broken loop other than toward the current source fromsuch break can be energized only during theclosed circuit periodsincident to the running of the code signal formulating means of anyoperating station.

Ill)

The arrangement of the formulating mechanisms of the various Stations issuch that the progressively actuated circuit controlling means formingpart thereof will act to render the interconnection associated therewitheffective only at the expiration of a test period longer than thelongest closure incident to the transmission of any code signal,throughout which test period the electromagnet of such station remainsenergized.

Because of the duration of such test period, it is evident that if theformulating mechanism of a plurality of initiating stations startconcurrently, interconnection between the circuit loops will be renderedeffective only at the operating station which is connected to saidloopat such point that the energization of the electromagnet thereof willnot be dependent upon the closure of the code signaling contacts of anyof the other of such concurrently operating stations.

If it is desired that the primary device should be responsive to allsignals, such device should be connected in the portion of one loop orthe other which extends from a terminal of the current source to thenear est initiating station; or. if such device is connected between anytwo initiating stations, the electromagnet winding of such device shouldbe arranged in two parts, one part of such winding being connected inone loop and the other part of such winding being connected in the otherloop.

If the interconnections of some initiating stations have localresponsive devices connected therein, and those of other stations do notinclude such devices. it will be desirable to include resistances in theinterconnections not having such devices therein (so as to preventexcessive current flow during the effectiveness of suchinterconnections) unless the resistance of the circuit conductors andgeneral responsive device windings of that" current path from the sourcethrough such interconnections is sufiicient to prevent obj ectionableexcessive current flow.

When the controlling electromagnets are not needed at initiatingstations. as. for example, would be the case when the releasing meansthereat is intended for direct manual actuation thereof, theelectromagnets, magnet branch current paths and controlling mechanismtherefor may be omitted from such stations. I v

If but one class of responsive devices are required, and electromagnetsare not employed for the control of formulating mechaat initiatingstations, the loop ends which otherwise should be connected through acomparatively high resistance may be connected without such resistance.It is evident that, when such high resistance connection is emitted, thenormal current flow will be practically as great as that incident tosignaling impulses. a j I l/Vhen systems are so arranged that the normalcurrent flow is as great as that incident to any signaling impulses, thewindings of the controlling electromagnets of initiating stations may beserially included in one loop or the other of the signal circuit. Suchdirectly included magnet windings being controlledby circuit adjusterswhich, if of the normally closed type, may be arranged to short-circuitthe winding at all times except when it is desired to causeelfectiveenergization of the electromagnet; and if such circuitadjusters are of the normally open type. a differential electromagnetwinding should be provided, the adjusters beingarranged so as toshort-circuit one of the windings of the associated magnet whenactuation of the formulating mechanism is desired. The introduction intoa signal circuit of a large number of such differentially wound magnetswill be found to produce excessive circuit resistance,but acomparatively small number of such windings can be advantageouslyemployed in many instances.

When series connected controlling electromagnets are employed, thearrangement of the circuit controlling means of the transmittingmechanism is correspondingly altered. When normally shunted windings areemployed, the periodical actuation of the circuit controlling means maybe arranged to short-circuit such windings during circuit closuresincident to the formulation of the code signal, if general circuitconditions are such as to render suchshort-circuiting necessary ordesirable. The progressive actuation of the circuit controlling meansassociated with such. series connected electromagnet windings should bearranged so that, after the formulating means has acted to transmitapredetermined signal one or more times, the circuit adjuster currentpath will be broken if normally closed circuit ad iusters are employed,and such current path will be short-circuited if normally open circuitadjusters are employed; to the end that the effective energization ofthe magnet will be accomplished after each succeeding formulationof thecode signal regardless of the continuity of action ofthe circuitadjuster in response to the influences to which it is subjected. Thecircuit controlling means associated with such series connected windingsshould further be so arranged that, after an additional one or moreformulations of the code signali such electromagnet winding will beshort-circuitedso as to pre vent further effective energizationof themagnet.

Other rearrangements and applications of the various features of thisinvention will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in this art.-

Like reference characters denote similar parts throughout theaccompanying drawings in which: 7

Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates a system embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 shows details of certain features of the transmitting mechanismprovided at the initiatingstations indicated by Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the theory of the circuitforming partof the system illustrated by Fig. 1, in which certain partsare repeatedly indicated so asto enabl parts cooperating therewith to bemore clearly shown in the order of their sequence in the circuit;

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation similar to Fig. 3, illustrating analternative arrangement of the primary responsive device, and repeatedlyindicating similar parts for like reason;

Figs. 5 and. 6 are schematic representations of circuit arrangementsutilizing certain features of applicants invention, certain parts beingrepeatedly indicated by Fig. 5, for like reason.

Fig. 7 is another view of the transmitter shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 1:the initiating stations Ni and N are included in asignal circuit in which the primary responsive device P, the secondaryresponsive mechanism S, and the current source or battery B are seriallyconnected.

It will be noted that th signal circuit comprises two parallel loopseach extending between the current source B and the primary responsivedevice P, through which opposite ends of said loops are interconnected.

Each initiating station is provided with signal transmitting mechanismcomprising the circuit connections inclosed by dotted line rectangles inFig. 1, and suitable operating mechanism therefor certain details ofwhich are more fully illustrated by Fig. 2.

Each transmitter is provided with line conductor terminals 31, 32, 33,34, '35. 36

and 37; a controlling magnet38; periodically actuated circuitcontrolling means comprising the cooperating contacts 39, 40 and 41together with the operating arm 42 therefor; progressively actuatedcircuit controlling means comprising contacts 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49and 50 together with the operating cam 51 therefor; and code signalformulating means comprising'the contacts 52 and 53 and the code wheel54 cooperating therewith." The transmitter line conductor terminalsaregrouped in pairs as'follows: terminals 31 and 32 are provided for theconductors communicating with the associated local responsive device L;terminals 33 and 34 are provided for'receiving an end of one of thecircuit loops leading to'the current source and an end of the other saidcurrent loops leading to the high resistance connection, respectively;the terminals 35 and 36 are provided for the remaining ends of saidcircuit loops, although one of said circuit loops may be completedthrough the terminal 37 instead of the terminal 36,during the closur ofthe contacts of any of the circuit adjusters C,C, C. The conductor 55connects the'terminal 31 and the contact 41. The conductor 56 connectsthe terminal 32 and the contact 45. The conductor 57 connects theterminal 33 and the contact 44. The terminal 34 is connected to contacts39 and 47 through conductors 58, 59 and 60. The terminal 35 is'connectedto the contact 46 through conductor 61. The terminal 36 is connected tocontacts 48 and 52 through conductors 62, 63 and 64. The terminal 37 isconnected to contact 49 through conductor 65. The winding of thecontrolling electromagnet 38 is serially connected between contact 40and contact50 through conductors 66 and 67. Conductor 68 connectscontacts 43 and 53. I

As shown, the various parts of the transmitters are in their respectivenormal positions, the contact 39 being held in engagement with thecontact 40 and away from the contact 41, by means of the arm 42; thecontact 52 being held in engagement with the contact 53 by the codewheel 54; the contact 43 being permitted by the cam 51 to move intoengagement with the contact 44 and away from the contact 45, saidcontact 45 being thus permitted to move into engagement with contacts 46and 47 the contact 48 is permitted by the cam 51 to move away from thecontact 49, and the contact 50 is likewise permitted to move intoengagement with said contact 49.'

While the various'parts are in their respective normal positions, asthusindicated, two normally closed independent current paths areprovided between respective termi- 'nals of two of the pairs oftransmitter contacts. One of said paths extending from terminal33,through'conductor 57, contacts 44 and 43, conductor 68. code'signalformulating contacts 53 and '52, conductors 64 and 62 to terminal 36.The other of said paths extends from terminal 34, through conductors 58and 60. through contacts 47, 45 and 46, and through conductor 61 toterminal 35.

A local responsive device L is associated with the initiating station N;said device being represented as a bell, one terminal of which'isconnected through conductor 69 to transmitter terminal 31, and the otherterminal of which is connected through conductor 70 to transmitterterminal 32. Circuit adjusting means comprising the circuit closers'C,C, C are associated with the initiating station N, one terminal of eachof said circuit closers being connected through the conductor:71 to-thetransmitterterminal 37, and the other terminal of each of said circuitclosers being connected to conductor 121. i

t The initiating station N comprises terminals, contacts, contactoperating means, a controlling electromagnet and conductors connectingsaid parts, all of which are similar to those provided at the initiatingstation N, andhereinbefore more fully de scribed; except that the codewheel 54 of station N is arranged to formulate a signal diifering fromthat for which the code wheel 54; of station N is arranged. The localr'esponsive device L and the circuit closers C, C, and C are associatedwith and connected to the initiating station N, in a manner similar tothat hereinbefore more fully described in connection with the localresponsive device L and the circuit closers C, C, C respectively.

The primary responsive device P comprises a relay having anelectromagnet 81, the armature 82 of which is normally held inengagement with the front stop 83 associated therewith, said armaturebeing arranged to move into engagement with the back stop 84 uponde-energization of the electromagn'et 81.

' The electromagnet 81 is wound to a comparatively high resistance, andthe resist ance of such winding may be supplemented, as by the resistorR, under certain circumstances which will be hereinafter more fully setforth.

The battery 85 is connected between one terminal of the bell 86 and thearmature 82, and the other terminal of the bell 86 is connected to theback stop 8%, so that, whenever said armature 82 moves to its retractedposition, a current path including the battery 85 and the bell 8.6 willbe established; thus causing said bell to sound so long as said armatureremains in retracted position. i p

The secondary responsive device S comprises an electromagnet 91, thearmature 92 of which normally rests against the back stop 93associatedtherewith; said armature being arranged to act in response topredetermined energization of the electroniagnet 91 to move away fromthe back stop 93 and into engagement with the front stop 94. Oneterminal of the battery 95 is connected to the armature 92, and thealarm bells 96, 96, are serially connected between the other terminal ofsaid battery 95 and the relay front stop 94. It is thus evident that,whenever the armature 92 moves to its attraCte/Cl position, a currentpath from the battery 95 will be established through the bells 96, 96,thus causing these bells to sound in response to each energization ofthe magnet 91. In order to clearly manifest the code ignal o t-the in iag t QnsN a in the system illustrated, it is desirable that the bells 96,96 should be of the single stroke yr 3 A well-known form ofreduced-current constant-test equipment is connected to the front andback contacts 9% and 93, and comprises the high resistance relay magnet101, which may be supplemented, if desired, by the resistor 102. Therelay armature 103 is responsive to the magnet 101 and controls acurrent path including the battery 105 and the bell 106, so that uponthe deenergization of said magnet 101, said bell will be caused tosound; so that, in the event of any interruption of the current pathincluding the bells 96, 96, or any impairment of the electromotive forceof the current source 95 such as would decrease the current flow throughthe magnet 101 below a predetermined value, the armature 103 will act toclose the circuit through the bell 106 and thereby give warning of suchdefective circuit conditions.

The parallel signal circuit loops, hereinbefore referred to, comprisecurrent paths as follows:-one of said paths extends through conductor110 from one terminal of source B to terminal 34 of station N, thencethrough conductors 58 and 60, contacts 47, 45and 46, and conductor 61 toterminal 85 of said station: thence through conductor 111 (including onewinding of auxiliary responsive device Z, which will be hereinafter morefully referred to) to terminal 3 1 of initiating station N; thencecorrespondingly through conductors and contacts of said station toterminal 35 thereof thence through conductor 112 (including resistor R)to one end of the winding of the electromagn'et 81 of the primaryresponsive device P: the other of said parallel loops extends from theother terminal of said magnet 81 through conductor 120- to terminal 33'of initiating station N, thence through conductor 57, contacts 44: and18, conductor 68, contacts 53 and 52, and. conductors 64k and 62 toterminal 36 of said station; thence through conductor 121 (seriallyincluding one terminal of each of the circuit closers C, C, C and theother winding of auxiliary responsive device Z) to the terminal 33 ofthe initiating station N thence correspondingly through the conductorsand contacts of said station to terminal 36 thereof; thence throughconductor 122 (serially including one terminal of the circuit closers CG, C) to one end of the winding of electromagnet 91, through saidwinding, and conductor 123 to the other terminal of source B.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the primary device P and theresistor R are connected between one end of one of said loops and theopposite end of the other of said loo s, and that the secondaryresponsive device and the current source'B are connected between theremaining ends of said loops; thus providing one current path from oneterminal of said source B, through the initiating stations N and N" indesired sequence, to one terminal of the primary responsive device P,and a second current path from the other terminal of said source B,through said stations N and N in reverse sequence, to the other terminalof said primary device; the secondary responsive device S being includedin one of said paths between the source B and said stations.

It will further be seen that the auxiliary responsive device Z isincluded vin both of the current paths between stations N and N, and maytherefore respond to current flow in either of said paths. The auxiliaryresponsive device Z may be employed in lieu of or in addition to eitherthe primary responsive device P or the secondary responsive device S;although, for reasons which will be hereinafter more fully pointed out,an auxiliary responsive device included in the current paths in themanner indicated for the responsive device Z, should preferably bearranged for operation as a secondary device.

Inasmuch as the electromagnets of primary responsive devices should beeffectively energized by the normal current flow through thecomparatively high resistance connection between the conductors 112 and120, it is evident that substantially higher resistance windings will berequired for such magnets than would be needed to render them responsiveto secondary signal closures, such as should cause the energization ofmagnet 91; for this reason, if windings of primary responsive devicesare connected between initiating stations in the manner indicated forthe device Z, the resistance of the current path for secondary signalclosures will be substantially increased, and thus require the use of acurrent source B of greater electromotive force than would otherwise benecessary. On the other hand, if it is desired that any primary deviceshould manifest both primary and secondary code signals, such deviceshould be connected in the circuit in the manner shown for the device Z,so that one winding or the other of said device will form part of thecurrent path of all secondary signal closures.

hen an auxiliary device, such as the device Z, is employed for themanifestation of secondary code signals only, it is desirable that theindependent electromagnet windings thereof should be differentiallyconnected in the respective circuit loops so as to decrease theeffectiveness of the energization thereof in response to primary signalclosures.

It should be noted that although the local responsive devices L and Land the auxiliary responsive device Z are represented as main line bellsand the general responsive devices P and S are represented as comprisinglocal circuit or relay controlled bells,such representations areemployed simply for convenience in illustration, and form no part ofthis invention, as either main line or local relay circuit responsivedevices may be employed,csuch devices may be of the so calleddirect-acting or the so called electro-mechanical type either singlestroke or continuous-ringing, and arranged to provide any desired formof either visible or audible signal manifestations, without departingfrom the spirit of this invention. In view of the functioning of thebells 86 and 106 as so called troublebells it will probably beordinarily preferable that same should be of the continuous-ringing typeand, for convenience, supplied by local batteries or current sourcesindependent of the sources B and 95. Suitable single stroke primary andsecondary responsive devices, suchas bells or other responsive devicesemployed in place thereof, may be of the direct-acting type and.

directly included in the signal circuit loops. If duplication of primaryor secondary responsive devices is required, same can be supplied eitherby extending local circuits such as those of relays 81 and 91, assuggested by the extension circuit provided for the alarm bells 96, 96;although additional primary responsive devices may be connected eitherin extensions of conductors 112 or 120, and additional secondaryresponsive devices may be connected in extensions of either conductors110, 122 or 123; or such additional responsive devices may be connectedin conductors extending from one initiating station to another (such asthe conductors 111 and 121) in the manner in which the connections forauxiliary responsive device Z are shown.

If it is desired to associate a plurality of local responsive deviceswith any one sta tion, such devices may be serially connected inconductor 69 or 70. If one or more initiating stations have no localresponsive devices associated therewith, the terminals 81 and 32 of suchstations should be connected by a suitable conductor. If there are not alike number of local responsive devices associated with each of theinitiating stations included in any one signal circuit, it will, undersome circumstances, be found to be desirable to includesuitableresistance in the current path between the terminals 31 and 32of stations with which a lesser number of responsive devices areassociated, in order to prevent excessive current flow during secondarysignal closures, such as will be hereinafter more fully described. I

The current source B provides an electromotive force sufiicient to causeeffective entweet a "current path including the Winding bf] said magnet,one .ot t e local: esppnsited vices L, .L (er agger number of s ch..responsive devlces. if. operatmgcond t ons provide fer the concurrentinc'hlsion...of a

filhrelity f such devices in any secondary signal current path) and oneof the Win ingsof each auxiliary responsive device- Z (if any ofsuchdevices are employed).

Th enn t e between conductors 112.

and 12 houldbe f such sistance tha the current .t w f om the muse Btherehreugh will he insuificie t t vceuse e fectiv energizletion of theelectromagnet .91; said connect on. Will t elteiiere he hereinafter emed, for want ef better designation, e ee n etiQn-ot eemh ively highresi tehee Stit h. ,re st hee m y he pteitid d by the 'wind hg'cf theeleetremag et 8.1, by the -.:e ist0r It or joi tly hy seid Winding andsaid nesis et- The resistance of one o the other of the findings .Of any.eux l ery .respensive device i el ld din the ignal e i cuit' (such as hde ce Z) will take the place eta eerrespend ng tesis enee in th windingof t e magnet 1 .0 in he re stor 1R, esibe h f th windings .efysueh .ae'li eli devices ere inc uded in. the. cu ent pet. through the magn 1end the iresi e It, while one for he other 1. uc fam lial-y device windigs is excluded from the seeehd ry signal in piilse cur eht paths, a Wilheh re- .inttt mere hil y .exp1eined-.

. In order to minimize thehermeldiseh rge from the sou e '1 the resist ne f-the rent path etween th ends ofieehdueters .ll2 en 2 m y besubstantially greater than th at. .mere y' suff cien to :pxeireh currenthew-threug e d. pa h o ueh int ntye t au e effec ive .QIIQ gi Q iQiOK- fthe elect omegnet; but the res s ance of sa d path should not be sogreat as to require an unduly sensitive adjustment of primary responsivedevices.

The responsive device P sh u d be so .jllfih as to g v the intendedwarning- :(es .by the ring ng o the he l 86) wheneyer the iormal currentflow throughthe signal circui is-inter upted, o is decrea ed he w epredetermined strength; to the end that warning wil be gi n Whe er th heme signa it ir ui c rr n path is in e upted, either in ident t the t enss ie iefeSig nal or because of an accidental rupture of some eenducte enthefh the jend th t suitab e warning w ll be g ve in the event th the.electromotive torce of the source 13 tails to e v lu deemed nsuficientto deguateily as u e the in ded .qperetion of the sig a ing system.

.Beferring now more particularly to Fig.

.-2.:the armature 1 l'i moun e in responsive relation to the poles ofitheelectroinz gm tes, said! miniature being secured to. the

nermel y dispes dlihthe .pethl o he e e t ime :lihtwhieh erm-i mev dfby,some part. f the signalling s ream .(f s, fer exe p e; th esce ement lleSaid ermet re, d tent ever," h s .ehld rah there-tore ehstittemegetaoipenet d ine ee ihg .meens, ter the sign titein which will hehereinaft r mere hil -y d seeibeid- Almost any well-known normally Woundype Qi .eleekwoids suita le 1 use i s gnal lf'adlt mihtil g ttein we d,he .employedte operati g the code Wheel 54;, the detent arm 135 and thenotched disc 186, which will he het hi ter eferre to in, gre ter de aThe inding shaiit of. such it tra n i i d e edtet 1.8 suitable gearing(not sho n) aetihg thxough the intermediate ,sl12rftl 38 te drive th c dWh h ft 139., h s apement heel shaft 140, and the pellet shaft lel- A ed ail of ei eheleekwork fo m no .partof this invemtiojgr, other .detailsthere f er in; the in er s s ez it i y and c ea hess, emit ed ro thedrawings end f m this specification.

The .disc 15.6. is secured to the Shaft. 139, and aid disc ha ehet le2itermed he p si n t r ceive the f et 4: e 'the e e e er 18.2 when. th ee w e l 5e ende ni d2 r in their nespe tiv iienm p ti ns, as indic tedby Fig; fie e h is etsueh idt its to .pre h h ent anc 0f the f e 1.4. terein other theni hile t e A2 i positionedto lift the contact 39 in engegement with th c tact e0 and aw y from th con ac e1 en hi the r toothof the code Wheel 54 isholdingihe cee et. 5.2.in engag men w t th c nt:53. It will'thus be .se n he he dis Wri hiit .he e -.,1 t end t e. fee143 e stitute mechanical holding means so moved bythe nunning .of thetrain shaft 139 .as to .h'eld the d t nt ug 1 L11 ope ated apesiti nmean .centeetswe d 3.; nd Will ur h be not h t said h d ng me nsessures1e il'eeunrent cycle of the action of said train in that, when e .de eit leg 1% s i hd awn from the path of the tdet eiit arm 135, the resutehtii te e o he shaf 13. i ee y i said notch out of the pathof the foot143, and ill thus prevent the j1ug 134being ,egelin e-rri i the pa o har 13. until the shaft 139 has turned fa r enough to again bring thenotch 142 into the path of the foot 143; thus having. completedsubstantially one revolution of the disc 136, arm 42, code Wheel 54 andparts, rotating therewith. Inasmuch .as the notch. 142 is prcsentedtothe foot '1i3at the conclusion of each rotation of the code wheel '54,it' is evident that such code wheel will'act to formulate a greater orless number of the cycles or rounds of its signal, as determined by theeffectiveness of the magnet 38 after each of such cycles; and that themagnetoperated releasing means will cause the train to operate theperiodically actuated circuit controlling means a greater or less numberof times as determined by the effectiveness of said magnet 38 during thepart of each cycle of said circuit controlling means during which thearm 42 of said means holds the contact 39 in engagement with the contact40.

The electromagnet 38 is provided for operating the detent lever 132 soas to suitably trip and control the train. The winding of said magnet isconnected in a branch current path, one end of which is connectedthrough the conductor 66, contacts 40 and 39, and the conductors 59 and58 to the terminal 34 of one of the circuit loops, and the other end ofsaid branch path extends through the-conductor 67, to the contact 50 ofthe progressively operated'circuit controlling means, from which saidbranch path may be completed through contact 49, conductor 65, terminal37, conductor 71, and any one of the circuit adjusters, C, C, C, to theconductor 121 of the other circuit loop. When the contact 48 is held inengagement with the contact 49, said branch magnet path is connectedfrom the contact 49 to said other loop conductor 121 through saidcontact 48, conductors 63 and 62 and terminal 36; thus shunting thecircuit adjusters C, 0,0.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the arm 42 and the cooperatingcontacts 39 and 40 provide means for rendering the magnet connectionineffective, by the interruption thereof, during formulating breaks.

The latch arm 144 is mounted upon the shaft 145 and turns freelythereon, said arm being provided with a face 146 adapted to cooperatewith the projection 147 carried by the detent lever 132 so that whensaid projection occupies the position (as shown) which it assumes whenthe armature 131 is in retracted position, said arm 144 will bepermitted to move in the direction of said projection a greater distancethan when said projection is in the'position which it occupies when saidarmature is in its attracted position.

Although the diameter of the disc 136 is such as to hold the foot 143high enough (except when the notch 142 is presented to said foot) toprevent the lug 1 34 from being brought into the path of the arm 135;the diameter of said disc is insufiicient to raise said foothigh enoughto'bring the projection 147 into the path of the face 146. Hence saidprojection willbe held in the path of saidface only'during theenergization of the magnet?) j The cam-51 is fixed upon the shaft 145,and is of insulating material. The toothed sector 148 is also fixed uponthe shaft 145, and is mounted in suitable relation to the cam 51 so thatsaid cam will be caused to operate the contacts '43, 48 and 50 in asuitable manner.

A suitable spring or gravity operated means (not shown) is provided forconstantly applying a'tendency to the shaft 145 for clockwise rotation,and a stud 149 is carried by the sector 148; said stud being disposed inthe path of the arm 144 and in such relation thereto as to engage saidarm for the purpose of arresting the clockwise rotation of said sector.carried by the disc 136, and said pin is so positioned with relation tothe sector 148 that, when said disc is in the position which presentsthe notch 142'to the foot 143, said pin150 will be out of the path ofthe teeth of said sector 148; and so that,'during the rotation of saiddisc 136, said pin will move through the path of the teeth of saidsector, to the end that said pin may engage some one of said teeth andmove said sector in counter-clockwise direction an angular distancesomewhat in excess of that between adjacent tooth faces. Said pin 150 isfurther so positioned with relation to the arm 42 that the final part ofthe actuation of the sector 148 by said pin 150 will occur during theportion of the rotation of said arm 42 in which said arm holds thecontact 39 in engagement with the contact 40.

A holding pawl 151 is mounted on the shaft 152 and is arranged to engagethe teeth of the sector 148, so that it may retain movement imparted tosaid sector 148 by the pin 150, against the tendency to clockwisemovement constantly imparted thereto. An ear 153', carried by the pawl151, cooperates with the ledge 154 which is formed on the side of thearm 144 so that when said pawl is in holding relation with any tooth ofthe sector 148 said ear will prevent movement of the arm144 to suchposition as would bring the face 146 intothe path of the projection 147,and. so that, when the under side of said pawl is raised by engagementof any tooth fof thesector l48'therewith, said ear 153 will be raisedhigh enough to permit the ledge 154 to pass thereunder.

' A suitable tendency is constantly imparted to move the arm 144 in thedirection of the projection 147, so that when the sector 148 is movedcounter-clockwise by the pin 150, if the projection 147 is not in itselevated position at the time when the pawl 151 is raised by the pointof a tooth of the sector 148., the ledge 154 will pass under the ear 153and thus support the pawl 151 insuch elevated position; therebypermitting the sector 148 The actuating pin 150 is memes 1i tic swing inclockwise tihtec'tion to its nor nial 'positi ona's-seenas'the pin 150moves one at thepath of the teeth "of said sector; When these ctor 148swings clockwise while the pawl 151' is "sapportedhy the "engagement ofthe nag-e 1 54- with the ear 1:53; the =s'tiid1 149 will he brml-ghtagainstthesiele of "the withdraw the ledge 1:54 imm-thepathof the earbefore said arm strikes against the:

side of the shaft 152 and theiieby stops the clockwise movement of saidand of the sector 14:8. 1

If the Fptojection 147is in. its eievatedpm sition While the point ofany one of the teeth. of the sector 148 is ziassing nnderfithe end ofthepawvlllfii, the engagementofthe face 1461 witlihsaid projection 147will prevent the arm 144 tnom swingingtoea position which would carrythe ledge 1:54 into theipath of theeat 153-, anti saifd pemtl M11121therefore 'be permitte'dito in'ove into holtiiimg relation with suchtooth the the sp-oint thereot has moved to the left -4 the ene of said.pawl.

From'the foregoing it will he apparent thiit if the=magneti38isdeenengized' while thepoihtaof a toothofthe sector 148 is. passintgunder the end of the pawl" jnst hefoi e the conclusion of any cycl'e ofthe transmitting mechanism, the sector 148 will restored to its normalposition-,uat the ecnclns'ion 01? such cycle g. and? that if such magnetis energizedthroughotiteach occasion-When' the 'ear 153 is lifted hirghe'nongh toipenmit the [ledge 154/to@asstiferehnder at the iconclnsionrof: each of e *phwalit y of the c yc tes of the rnxmingot saidtransmitter, the movement of the sector 1418 W111b6"61211ffllfl1il*ttvelyipi o'gressive.- r

If the nn'oveinem't imparted to the sector 1 48 ispiegfQS'SiVeljl00117611111661Until The-17001711 "restsagainst*thewend'of the pawl: 151, it is ewidentvthat the animation next there+ al terimparted to said sector by the'pin 150 wiillinot elevate thepaw1'151, as'tl1e-1perip hery of said sector between. the hold i ng face ofthertoothlfifiand the end 1.5 6 oit' said sector issubstantiallyequidistant 111'011'1 the shacfit 145, and said apawl willtherefore he permitted to drop into the: path of said enct 156 atthe-conclusion ro t' the laststep ocf lthe actuation of'said sector bythepin 150, megarctiess of the action of :the =n1'agne't88subsequenttothe passage ofithe tooth 1-55 to the left rof (the end of=theip awl 151 The pawl 151 is provideti wi'tha handle 157 whichfacilitates the manual disengagement ofsaid' pa iv l'tfrom the sector 148 when saitl sector has heen moved to-its extreme left hand position;:said parts therefo re "prowide manually operable. means for i'estoriing.the progressively aotuated rcirouit icontmh ling means to rnormmlcontiitionwafter said control-1i ng means rh'as ibee-n inninternmptediyepemee by the rtrain'fthr-onghout the maximum nninher 0 1% cycles forwhiohthe train is: intended to act without manual restoration;

f'lhe its'e 158: 0ifi3he cal-n61 is "so positioned with-relation to thecontact 59 thaltsatd wise wivlih pass under the end thereof Withoutmoving said contact away fnoni theccone tact 492;: said isais'onamranged with T8121- tionYto/the contact "48 so thatywhen bnonghtby move said contaot away from the Icon tacts 46* an ch 4?; "and :sai-lni'se 1:59 is further ai'rah gedt Be; that when brought into engagementwith the contact 50; said rise with 'm'ofve the aconta'ct 50 away fromthe contact 1 49.. i i

The cam- 51 is so set with reiati'oni to the sector 148 that, Whenfisaid sector is in its extreme right haind' or fully restored est than,neither 1 of saiiil :ris'ss' WiH engagethe contacts which c'ofopenatetherewith; rand so thatyrwhen said 'sector'is inovechto the left anangular "distance fcot responchng to that occupiedhythree of the teeth.thereof, the ri'selfoS W111 movethe contact 48 into engagemnent with thecontact' tt). and the rise w'il hmeve theicontact 48razway from thecontact 44 and into engagement with the contact '45:, thereby movingsaid con- .t act 4'5 away from the contacts- 46wand "4?. Aflthongh theTise 158 is v shown as being so positton'ed W1th" I'61ZLUiFOI1 to thefree "end the contact '48 as to move 'said Contact into engagement withthe con"- tact-49 wvhie'nthe sector 14 8 is movech to the left adistance comespoin'cting to that-ooci't iethby three of the teeththereof; it is evident that, "by altering the Teifitiofihip *of said*r'i'se enl said contact,- the pvegre'ssiveiy ep'eratect cen trollingmeans may he arranged so as 'tWIIIQVG the con-tact '48 intoengagementwith "the "contact 49afte'r any tie'sired one or =1no'1' ecycles of the running of the ti -aha. The engagement "of the contact 43by the wise 159, incidentto the step of the progressiveeetuationef thesector 148 which cahses the has 458 to actuate the contact-48 assuresthat the circuit adjusters -C, (I, C will shi l'nted when the signaltrain has u-ni nterruptjedly acted to and after 'the comfipleticn ofthree of'the' *forrnu-ia-ting' cycles 3 ofthe code Wheel 54. Suchassurance a'i' i'ses horn the hat that, the insulatin cam 51 ef thecircuit controlling means is actuated by the "cooperaft-ion of thepin-1'50 with'the sector 1'48,- a n-d such actuation render'edaccumulatively pmgves'sivegWhen the aim-1144 permits the holding pawl451 "toenecttven engage said sector, so that the acetate 48 is nwvedinteengwgement "with the contact 1 49 rmnd thetehy establishes a connectionfibe tween the branch magnet path and the con-' ductor 62, whichconnection shunts thecir formulating cycle; to the end that, after the,train has uninterruptedly acted to accome plish the formulating cycle apredetermlned' one or more times, the timely energization of theelectromagnet will not be dependent up on the continuity of the closureof the normally open contacts of any of the circuit adjusters C, C, C.

The angular movement of the rise 159, from the normal position thereofto such position as to enable said rise to move the contact 50 away fromthe contact 49, is substantially the same as the angular movement of thesector 148 from the normal position thereof to such position as willpermit the end of the pawl 151 to engage with the end 156 of saidsector.

The shoulder 160 of' the cam 51 is so positioned with relation to thecontact 43 and the sector 148 that, when said sector is swung to theleft far enough to permit the end of the pawl 151 to engage the end 156of said sector, said shoulder will be withdrawn from the path of thecontact 43, thereby permitting said contact to return to its normalposition.

hen the contact 43 has been moved by the cam 51 so as to engage thecontact 45, and the contact 39 rests upon the contact 41, aninterconnection is provided between conductor 58 of one of theindependent transmitter current paths and conductor 62 of the other ofsaid paths. The interconnection thus established is so situated, with relation to the code signal formulating contacts 52 and 53, that saidcontacts will be included in the portion of one loop extending from theinterconnection to the current source B, and said interconnectioncomprises the following current path,from the conductor 62, throughcontacts 52 and 53, through conductor 68, through contacts 43 and 45,through conductor 56, terminal 32 and conductor to and through localresponsive device L thence through conductor 69, terminal 31, conductor55, contacts 41 and '39, and conductor 59, to conductor 58. It isevident that such interconnection is normally ineffective, and will berendered effective only after a predetermined cycle of the operation ofthe signal transmitting train, which cycle comprises, in the arrangementshown, two complete revolutions of the code wheel 54; and that saidinterconnection will then be rendered effective only after such cyclehas been uninterruptedly accomplishedl It is also evident that theinterconnection is rendered effective only by the joint action of theperiodically operated Although the progressively actuated mechanismshown is arranged so that the cam 51 is so controlled by the running ofthe train as to render said interconnection effective immediatelyfollowing the conclusion of two revolutions of the code wheel shaft 139,it is evident that the free end of the contact 43 could readily be sopositioned with relationto the rise 159 that said interconnectionWould-be rendered effective by and during the running of the trainvuninterruptedly continued to and lafter-any desired number offormulating cycles of the code wheel 54; it is also evident that theeffectiveness of said-interconnection could be controlled by meansoperable independently of said'train; and the feature of this invention,whereby code signal mechanism is operable either with or without aninterconnection in a circuit such as shown, is not limited to thecontrol of such interconnection by the running of the train.

- The contacts 52 and 53 are effective for the control of the currentflow from the source l3 regardless of the effectiveness of theinterconnection; hence each signal initiating station comprises the codesignal mechanism including said contacts, which 0011: tacts are operablefor the formulation of code signals inthe signal circuit either with orwithout an interconnection, as determined by the position of the cam 51during respec tive formulating cycles. Although the code signalformulating contacts 52 and 53 are shown as being connected in aparticular one of the signal circuit loops, it is evident that, for thepresent purposes, these contacts may be serially includedin either ofthe loops but that said contacts should, in any event, be so connectedas to be included in the portion of a loop'which is situated between thecurrent source and the interconnection of the station of which suchcontacts form part.

While the interconnection of any initiating'station' is'eflfective, itprovides a current path from the source B, including the code contacts52 and 53 of such station, which path shunts the high resistanceconnection between conductors 112 and 120. It is likewise evident thatwhen the train acts uninterruptedlyto and after the completion of suchnumber of formulations of the code signal as to cause saidinterconnection to be established, both of the normally closed intherrotation of the shaft 139 will then withdraw the first tooth of the codewheel 54 from the path of the contact 52, and said contact willthereupon move away from the contact 53, thus interrupting the currentflow in the signal circuit from the source 13. Such interruption of thecurrentflow from the source B will cause de-en'ergization of theelectromagnet 8l,-whereupon the armature 82 will move into engagementwith the back stop 84, and thereby close the circuit from battery 85through bell 86, thus causing said bell to sound. During continuedduring such movement of said sector, the

arm 42 will move the contact 39 into engagement with the contact 40, sothat the branch current path through the electromagnet 38may be renderedeffectiveby any one ofthe adjusters C, G, C before and throughout suchmovement of the sector 148 as will-raise the end of the pawl 151 highenough to permit the ledge 154 of the arm 144 to pass under the ear 153carried by said pawl.

If, when the contact 39 is brought into engagement. with the contact 40,as just described, the contactsof any of the circuit adjusters G, C, Care closed, the magnet 38 will be. energized, thereby causingcthearmature 131 to swing the lever 132 so as to bring the projection 147into the path of the face 146. As a result of such energization of theelectromagnet 38, the arm 144 will be prevented from; so swinging as tobring the .ledge 154 into the path of the car 153 when the engagingtooth of the sector passes'under the end ofthe pawl 151, so that thepawl 151 will be permitted to drop to the right of saidv tooth andprevent the restoration 'of the sector. Such energization of theelectromagnet 38 will also prevent the foot 143 from dropping into thenotch 142, and will therefore as sure continued operation of thesignaling train fora second formulating cycle.

Had not the contacts of one or more of the 'circuitadjustersG, C, C beenclosed throughout the period while 'the engaging tooth of the sector148supportedthe pawl 151 in a position which would permit the ledge 154to pass under the ear 153, .the

resultant 'de-energization of the magnet 38 would have permitted theprojection 147 to remain below the path of the face 146, and

said circuit adjusters.

'the arm 144 would have moved to the left and the ledge 154 would havepassed under the ear 153, and would have thereby supported the pawl 151when the pin 150 moved out of the path of the teeth of the sector 148.Said sector would have there upon returned to its normal position, C211-rying the pin 149 into engagement with the arm 144 and swinging said armagainst the shaft 152. The various parts of the progressively operatedcircuit controlling mechanism would have thus been restored to theirrespective normal positions. Had

the magnet 38 become de-energized, as just described, the foot143wouldhave dropped into the notch 142, when said notch was presentedthereto, and the lug 134 would therefore have moved into th'epath of thearm 135' and brought the train to rest.

At the conclusion of succeeding formulating cycles, like determinationswill be made as to retention of the accumulating steps of the sector 148and as to the continued running of the train. Such formulating cyclesmay thereafter-be repeated and such accumulating action of the sectormay be continued until the end 156 passes to the left of the pawl 151.

Upon the actuation of sector 148 for the second step thereof from theposition shown in Fig. 2, the cam 51 will move the contact 48 intoengagement with the contact 49 and thereby cause a shunt to beestablished through conductors 121, 62 and 63 around the previouslyeffective current path through the contacts of the circuit adjusters C,C, C so as to assure'the continued running of the train regardless ofany subsequent opening of the contacts of When the end 156 passes to theleft of the end of the pawl 151, said cam will move the contact 50 awayfrom the contact 49, and thus prevent further energization of the magnet38.- The train will therefore come to rest when the notch 142 ispresented to the foot 143. 'After the train has been so brought to rest,the sector 148 will remain in fully accumulated position, and the trainwill be unresponsive to closures of the circuit adjusters C, C, C untilthe pawl 151 has been manually moved out of the path of the teeth of thesector 148 (as by the handle 157), and said sector has thus beenpermitted to return to its normal position.

Whenever during the running of the train, as just described, the sectorhas been moved two accumulating steps thereof (i. e., one step to theleft of theposition shown in Fig. 2), the cam 51 will move the contact43 into engagement with the contact 45, and will thus establish acurrent path such as will cause the local device L and the secondarydevice S to act in response to each closure of the formulat-

